Forks Mulls Braden Airpark Resolution

It's one of Forks Township's hottest topics.

For the past few meetings over the past few months, Forks Township officials have raised concerns about what might happen should the Braden Airpark be sold.

The site on Sullivan Trail near Weis Markets would be open for development and Forks officials want to ensure that any developer understands the zoning issues going into any decision.

With that in mind, Forks Township may adopt a resolution at its Board of Supervisors meeting Thursday night asking the Lehigh Valley Airport Authority and its consultants -- who are evaluating all of the authority's airports for potential sale -- to keep a line of communications open.

At a recent work session, supervisors asked Solicitor Karl Kline to draft a resolution.

"The resolution is urging the consultants and the airport board to communicate with the township," Township Manager John Cornell said. "I suggest that the consultants appear before the public."

Cornell stated that the supervisors could hold a special meeting for that purpose.

The airport authority is in heavy debt -- with a $1 million payoff due by the end of the year -- and is considering selling its properties, including the 80-acre Braden Airpark.

Cornell said he spoke to a director on the airport board who said he "had no idea which properties would be considered for sale."

Supervisor Robert Egolf stressed that the resolution needed to be worded properly.

"We need to say it tactfully, otherwise they just will laugh at us," Egolf said.

Supervisor David Billings agreed.

"It's their property," he said. "They don't have to come. But we're a stakeholder. I think they owe us that."

"We're walking a very fine line," Billings said. "I think they owe us a conversation."

Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss said he just wanted to make the airport authority aware of what Forks Township's ordinances are.

"The meeting is to allow us to understand and ask questions," Chuss said. "That's the purpose behind this."